Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineer

Biography

Alexandre Nassif joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) as a senior power systems research engineer in June 2024. At PNNL, he specializes in power system resilience and reliability, power quality, distributed energy resource integration, power system protection and control, and power quality.

Nassif brings significant utility industry experience, with a background working for several major electric utilities. Prior to joining PNNL, he managed the integration and deployment of various innovative technologies at LUMA Energy, a private power company responsible for power distribution and power transmission in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Before joining LUMA Energy, Nassif worked for ATCO, a publicly traded Canadian utility serving the province of Alberta, where he led technical studies in the deployment of distributed energy resources and microgrids. He also previously led protection system special studies at Hydro One, a Canadian electricity transmission and distribution utility serving the province of Ontario.

He is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as well as a senior editor of IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery. He is also an editor of IEEE Transactions on Power Systems and of IET Generation, Transmission and Distribution. Nassif was previously the general chair for several prolific IEEE-affiliated conferences focused on various aspects of electrical, electronics, and power systems engineering.

Disciplines and Skills

  • Distributed energy resources
  • Distribution requirements planning
  • Distribution systems
  • Power quality
  • Protection systems
  • Reliability

Education

  • PhD in electrical engineering, University of Alberta
  • MS in engineering/electrical engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas
  • BS in engineering/electrical engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

Awards and Recognitions

  • R&D 100 Award and gold medal in corporate social responsibility, 2024
  • IEEE Region 9 Eminent Engineer Award, 2023
  • IEEE PES NCS Chapter Outstanding Engineer Award, 2015, 2017

Publications

For a complete list, visit Nassif’s Google Scholar profile.

2024

  • Garzon, O. D., A. B. Nassif, and M. Rahmatian. 2024. “Grid Forming Technologies to Improve Rate of Change in Frequency and Frequency Nadir: Analysis‑Based Replicated Load Shedding Events.” Electronics 13 (6).
  • Rodríguez, M., and A. B. Nassif. 2024. “System Strength Reduction in an Island Grid through Transitioning to 100% Inverter‑Based Resources.” Electronics 13 (7).
  • Nassif, A. B., and K. A. Wheeler. 2024. “Sub‑Transmission Ground Fault Overvoltage Management under IBR Reverse Flow.” IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.
  • Rodriguez‑Martinez, O. F., Y. V. García, M. P. Gomez, O. D. Garzon, and A. B. Nassif. 2024. “Vieques and Culebra Distribution Feeder State Estimation to Support a Microgrid Development.” In 2024 IEEE/PES Transmission and Distribution Conference & Exposition (T&D), 1–5.
  • Nassif, A. B., M. Rahmatian, O. Garzon, and M. Rodriguez. 2024. “Quantifying Stacked Benefits of a Battery Energy Storage System for Frequency Stabilization.” In 2024 IEEE/PES Transmission and Distribution Conference & Exposition (T&D), 1–5.

2023

  • Nassif, A. B. 2023. “A Resilience‑Driven Battery Energy Storage System Sizing Strategy for Grid Edge Radial Supplies.” In 2023 IEEE PES Grid Edge Technologies Conference & Exposition (Grid Edge), 1–5.
  • Bennett, M., A. B. Nassif, M. Rahmatian, Y. Liu, Z. Jiang, V. Gevorgian, and X. Fan. 2023. “Grid Strength Assessment for High Levels of Inverter‑Based Resources in the Puerto Rico Power System.” Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA, USA.
  • Affolabi, L., M. Shahidehpour, A. B. Nassif, and M. Rodriguez. 2023. “Stochastic Optimal Power Flow Analyses for Vieques and Culebra Island Microgrids with Variable PV Generation.” In Proceedings of 2023 IEEE SmartGridComm.

2022

  • Rahmatian, M., A. B. Nassif, H. Othman, and A. Paaso. 2022. “Potential Issues and Mitigation to RoCoF with High Penetration of IBRs.” In 2022 CIGRE Canada Conference & Expo.
  • Wheeler, K., M. Simone, A. B. Nassif, Y. Takenobu, T. Key, and W. Ren. 2022. “Effective Grounding Criteria for High Penetration Inverter‑Based Resources in Distribution Networks.” In IEEE 4th Global Power, Energy and Communication Conference (GPECOM 2022).
  • Nassif, A. B., K. Wheeler, R. Torquato, and W. Freitas. 2022. “On‑Site Harmonic, Load Rejection Overvoltage, and Anti‑Islanding Scheme Verification of a 20 MW BESS Interconnection to a Distribution Feeder.” In IEEE PES International Conference of Harmonics and Quality of Power (2022 ICHQP).
  • Nassif, A. B. 2022. “Assessment and Mitigation of Temporary Overvoltages on Distribution Feeders with High Penetration of Distributed Energy Resources.” In IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies.
  • Nassif, A. B. 2022. “A Reliability‑Driven Battery Energy Storage System Sizing Method for Distribution Radial Supplies.” In 2022 CIGRE Canada Conference & Expo.

2021

  • Taheri, S. I., M. B. Salles, and A. B. Nassif. 2021. “Distributed Energy Resource Placement Considering Hosting Capacity by Combining Teaching‑Learning‑Based and Honey‑Bee‑Mating Optimization Algorithms.” Applied Soft Computing.
  • Dong, M., W. Li, and A. B. Nassif. 2021. “Long‑Term Health Index Prediction for Power Asset Classes Based on Sequence Learning.” IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery 37 (1): 197–207.

2020

  • Nassif, A. B., D. F. Teshome, and W. Xu. 2020. “A Reactive Power Compensation Scheme Using Distribution STATCOMs to Manage Voltage in Rural Distribution Systems.” In 2020 IEEE Electric Power and Energy Conference (EPEC), 1–5.
  • Torquato, R., G. Tessmer, A. B. Nassif, and W. Freitas. 2020. “Impact Assessment and Modeling of High‑Frequency Distortions Produced by PV Inverters.” IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.
  • Nassif, A. B. 2020. “A Protection and Grounding Strategy for Integrating Inverter‑Based Distributed Energy Resources in an Isolated Microgrid.” CPSS Transactions on Power Electronics and Applications.
  • dos Reis, F. B., P. Royer, V. H. Chalishazar, S. Davis, M. Elizondo, and J. Dagle; with A. B. Nassif as co‑author. 2022.

2019

  • Nassif, A. B., H. Said, and D. Lang. 2019. “Harmonics and Interharmonics of Top and Mudpump Variable-Frequency Drives in Drilling Rigs.” In 2019 IEEE/IAS 55th Industrial and Commercial Power Systems Technical Conference.
  • Al‑Saffar, M., S. Zhang, A. B. Nassif, and P. Musilek. 2019. “Assessment of Photovoltaic Hosting Capacity of Existing Distribution Circuits.” In 2019 IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE).
  • Nassif, A., and R. Torquato. 2019. “Field Verification of Autonomous Anti-Islanding Schemes and Grid Support Functions of an Inverter-Based Microturbine Distributed Generator.” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications 55 (6): 5652–5658.

2018

  • Nassif, A. B., T. Greenwood‑Madsen, D. Teshome, and S. Piroz‑Azad. 2018. “Feeder Voltage Management through Smart Inverter Advanced Functions and Battery Energy Storage System.” In 2018 IEEE PES General Meeting.
  • Nassif, A., Y. Wang, and I. Rahimi Pordanjani. 2018. “Power Quality Characteristics and Electromagnetic Compatibility of Modern Data Centres.” In 2018 IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering.

2017

  • Nassif, A., and C. Madsen. 2017. “A Real Case Application of ROCOF and Vector Surge Relays for Anti‑Islanding Protection of Distributed Energy Resources.” In 2017 IEEE Electrical Power and Energy Conference (EPEC), 1–5.

2016

  • Nassif, A., and X. Long. 2016. “Mitigating Overvoltage Scenarios Caused by Large Penetration of Distributed Energy Resources.” In 2016 IEEE Electrical Power and Energy Conference (EPEC), 1–5.

2015

  • Singh, I., B. Venkatesh, V. K. Sood, and A. B. Nassif. 2014. “Modeling of Synchronous Generator and Full‑Scale Converter for Distribution System Power Flow Analysis.” In 2014 IEEE SEGE, 8.

2013

  • Nassif, A. B., J. Yong, W. Xu, and C. Y. Chung. 2013. “Indices for Comparative Assessment of the Harmonic Effect of Different Home Appliances.” International Transactions on Electrical Energy Systems 23 (5): 638–654.

2012

  • Syed, I. M., B. Venkatesh, B. Wu, and A. B. Nassif. 2012. “Two‑Layer Control Scheme for a Supercapacitor Energy Storage System Coupled to a Doubly Fed Induction Generator.” Electric Power Systems Research 86: 76–83.

2011

  • Yong, J., A. B. Nassif, and W. Xu. 2011. “Effect of Voltage Crest Shape on the Harmonic Amplification and Attenuation of Diode‑Bridge Converter‑Based Loads.” IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution 5 (10): 1033–1041.

2010

  • Nassif, A. B., J. Yong, H. Mazin, X. Wang, and W. Xu. 2010. “An Impedance‑Based Approach for Identifying Interharmonic Sources.” IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery 26 (1): 333–340.

2009

  • Nassif, A. B., and W. Xu. 2009. “Characterizing the Harmonic Attenuation Effect of Compact Fluorescent Lamps.” IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery 24 (3): 1748–1749.
  • Nassif, A. 2009. “Modeling, Measurement, and Mitigation of Power System Harmonics.” (Monograph/dissertation).

2007

  • Nassif, A. B., and W. Xu. 2007. “Passive Harmonic Filters for Medium‑Voltage Industrial Systems: Practical Considerations and Topology Analysis.” In 2007 39th North American Power Symposium, 301–307.

2006

  • Nassif, A. B., and T. Tayjasanant. 2006. “Flicker Representation via STFT and Wavelets.” In 2006 IEEE Power Engineering Society General Meeting, 7 pp.

2005

  • Nassif, A. B., E. E. Nino, and W. Xu. 2005. “A VI Slope‑Based Method for Flicker Source Detection.” In Proceedings of the 37th Annual North American Power Symposium, 364–367.
  • Nassif, A. B., M. S. Castro, V. F. Da Costa, and L. C. P. Da Silva. 2005. “H₂ Norm‑Oriented STATCOM Tuning for Damping Power System Oscillations.” Electric Power Components and Systems 33 (12): 1363–1383.
  • Nassif, A. B., A. F. Domingues, M. C. de Oliveira, L. C. P. da Silva, and V. F. da Costa. 2005. “A Procedure for Tuning STATCOM Parameters for Damping Power System Oscillations.” IFAC Proceedings 38 (1): 37–42.

2004

  • Castro, M. S., A. B. Nassif, V. F. Da Costa, and L. C. P. Da Silva. 2004. “Impacts of FACTS Controllers on Damping Power Systems Low‑Frequency Electromechanical Oscillations.” In 2004 IEEE/PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition: Latin America.
  • Nassif, A. B., V. F. Da Costa, and L. C. P. Da Silva. 2004. “Effects of the SVC and the STATCOM on Damping Power Systems Low‑Frequency Electromechanical Oscillations.” IEEE Latin America Transactions 2 (2): 120–125.
  • Nassif, A. B., A. F. Domingues, M. C. de Oliveira, L. P. da Silva, and V. F. da Costa. 2004. “Design of Robust Controllers via a Separation Procedure for Small‑Signal Angle Stability.” In Series on Energy and Power Systems.
  • Nassif, A. B., A. F. Domingues, M. C. de Oliveira, L. C. P. da Silva, and V. F. da Costa. 2004. “Local Mode Oscillations Damping Using STATCOM with Parameters Tuning Minimizing H₂ Norm.” In 9th Symposium of Specialists in Electric Operational and Expansion Planning.
  • LCPS A. B. Nassif, A. F. Domingues, M. C. de Oliveira, and V. F. da Costa. 2004. “Comparison of PSS, SVC and STATCOM for Damping Power System Local Mode Oscillations.” In EuroPES 2004.
  • AB Nassif, MC de Oliveira, VF da Costa. 2004. “Design of Robust Controllers via a Separation Procedure for Small‑Signal Angle Stability.” In EuroPES 2004.

2003

  • Nassif, A. B., I. Kopcák, V. F. da Costa, and L. P. da Silva. 2003. “Comparative Analysis of SVC and STATCOM for Damping Power System Low‑Frequency Electromechanical Oscillations.” In COBEP‑70 Brazilian Congress of Power Electronics.
  • Nassif, A. B., A. F. Domingues, M. C. de Oliveira, L. C. P. da Silva, and V. F. da Costa. 2004. “Design of Robust Controllers via a Separation Procedure for Small‑Signal Angle Stability.” In Series on Energy and Power Systems.